How to Zap Your Team Out of Its Comfort Zone

What happens when your firm is engaged, talented and competent – but so stuck in its ways that it can’t quite grasp the importance of acting as a strategic, forward-thinking team?

It may be time for drastic measures – time to shake up the system. Don’t be afraid to get your team's attention in an over-the-top way, even if it means pretending you’re Zeus – a very miffed Zeus.

But remember this – never ask anyone to fire lightning bolts you wouldn’t do yourself. Here are some of the lessons we've learned over the years:

Place people in the right roles – Sometimes a job just isn’t the right fit for the individual. Rather than letting them go, place them in a role that capitalizes on their strengths.

Train first, then promote – Often, high-performing employees are rewarded with promotions, but are woefully unprepared for their new duties. Promoting people and then training them afterward is not the best way to develop leaders.

There is little growth without discomfort – Most people prefer to keep everything as is once they become comfortable. That may get the job done, but improvement won’t happen unless people are confronted with situations that throw them off balance.

Be proactive. You can get your employees to think strategically, and reward them with greater teamwork and a better bottom line.

Frank Granara and Lorraine Grubbs are co-authors of “Beyond the Executive Comfort Zone: Outrageous Tactics to Ignite Individual Performance." Frank is CEO of General Insulation Co., and Lorraine is president of the consulting firm Lessons in Loyalty.